On January 29th, Charleston Water System approved a EUR39.02 million (US$50.8 million) construction contract with Southland Renda JV, a joint venture between Southland Contracting and Oscar Renda Contracting, both based in Texas, to build the new West Ashley Tunnel. West Ashley Tunnel is the last phase of a 15-year project to replace the wastewater tunnel system. Construction will involve boring a 2.6 km-long, 42.84 m-deep, 2.86 m-diameter tunnel from Albemarle Road under the Wappoo Cut to the Plum Island Wastewater Treatment Plant off Haborview Road. The project also includes building a new pump station and piping at the treatment plant as well as sewer system improvements in several areas. Construction of this final phase will take approximately 30 months to complete. The new West Ashley Tunnel will replace an existing tunnel that carries wastewater from West Ashley, parts of Johns Island, and the Towns of Hollywood, Ravenel, and Meggett to the treatment plant. Visit www.charlestonwater.com/press_release_02_05_13.htm.  11/13.